Community, business forums on tap for Town Board meeting

The Bethlehem Town Board will be addressing a number of items at its meeting tonight, 6 p.m. at Town Hall.

Supervisor Sam Messina will be bringing forward a request to hold informal meetings and discussions around town, in addition to the board's regular meetings held twice a month. The initiative was an element of Messina's campaign last year.

Messina will also ask the board to approve the scheduling of a Focus on Business Forum for May 14 at Town Hall. In conjunction with the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce, area businesses would be invited to converse with government officials.

Chamber President Marty Delaney said Wednesday it's unclear how the meetings will play out among her membership, but it presents businesses with an avenue to government not available before.

It is an opportunity, and I think our business people will have to look at it as an opportunity, she said. "It's going to end up being whatever the business people want it to be."

More meetings would be held if the pilot forum were a success.

Also on the agenda is recognition for Supervising Water Plant Operator Richard Sayward, who received the Management Innovation Award from the Capital Branch of the American Public Works Association last week.